6 Secrets to Time Management in Grad School

10.13.16

Part of being a grad student is learning how to manage your time. After all, the work is definitely no walk in the park! Trying to juggle all of your responsibilities is overwhelming, so we decided to share some time management secrets that are perfect for graduate school.

1. Treat studying like a scheduled commitment.

In grad school, both your classes and your job are part of a fixed schedule. You probably never think to yourself, “I don’t have time to go to my job today,” because this commitment is already in your agenda. Treat studying the same way by blocking out a specific time in your day where you can focus on schoolwork.

2. Find a study partner.

Grad school differs from undergrad in the fact that you may not have as many opportunities to meet other students, but don’t let that discourage you from chatting it up with a classmate. Finding a solid study partner is great way to stay on task when it comes to your work – which means more free time!

3. Be honest with your boss.

Graduate school is the ultimate juggling act. Many grad students are working jobs as well! Make sure to be upfront with your boss about your schedule and school work, and don’t be afraid to voice any concerns you may have about the time commitment. Chances are, they’ll want to see you succeed and will help you find a way to make it work!

4. Tackle procrastination head on.

We understand. Procrastination seems like an incurable epidemic affecting students around the globe. But! – there are actually some easy ways to combat this habit when you really need to get down to business. For example, try temporarily blocking distracting websites with an extension like Strict Workflow.

5. Study on-the-go.

When time is tight, sometimes you just need to improvise. Look into ways you can bring your study materials on-the-go. Apps like StudyBlue will allow you to upload your notes and create flashcards on your phone, and Yuzu is perfect for accessing your textbooks on almost any mobile device.

6. Write everything down.

Whether you prefer using a planner, a to-do list, or both – writing is a great method for time management. Why? Because physically seeing your responsibilities will help you prioritize tasks and paint a picture of the timeline you have.

Do you have any suggestions that we didn’t list? Share your feedback in the comments below!